Molding-machine.



W. LEWIS.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1901.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WW8 Elke-agg o axxv W. LEWIS.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT 21, 1901. 961,702. Patented June 14,1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2 W. LEWIS. MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1901.

Patented June 14,1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET a.

W. LEWIS.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1901.

Patented June 14,1910.

W. LEWIS.

MOLDING MACHINE. APPLIUATIQN iILED SEPT. 21, 1901. 961 ,702. Patented June 14,1910.

8 sums-amm- 5.

Patented June 14,1910.

fw. LEWIS, MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1901.

W. ,LEWIS. MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 21, 1901.-

961,702, Patented June 14, 1910. v I! asgggg ggxm 1.

uifi aml/ W. LEWIS.

MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED snr'r. 21, 1901.

Patented June 14, 1910.

' a SHEETS-SHEET s.

- WIDE well as they did at first.

Lewis,- or rnrranmmm, rnmv sanwmm, Assrenoie so am canon MANUFAGQURING COANY, OF BHILADELFHIA, HNNSYLV -ANIA, A GQMQRA'IION or New JERSEY.

sea, see.

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILFRED LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moldingachines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to molding machines in general, and more particularly to vibrator molding machines, inwhioh power is used to free the pattern from the sand while being drawn. To effect the latter purpose, various devices have hitherto been employed, the most successful of which consists in a pneumatic hammer attached to the pattern plate. To permit vibrations the pattern plate has been allowed to rest loosely on fixed supports to which it-has been elastically secured by centering pins surrounded by rubber bushin s. When the pneumatic hammer is in action, te pattern late slides on its supports, through the amp tude of the vibration, and'wear' results, which in time causes displacement of.-

the pattern plate. Furthermore, the rubber bushings deteriorate in time, lose their elasticity and fail to center thepattern plate as These defects apply to all vibrator molding machines as hitherto constructed, but molding machines in general are also defective in the methods hitherto employed for drawing patterns.

To obtain the best results, it is necessary that the pattern or flask, whichever moves in the act of drawing, shall be guided with great care and accuracy. This has been done most successfully by long guide pins moving in accurately fitted sockets, and when the machine is. new, good results are obtained. It has been difiicult, however, to prevent wear in the moving parts, which, on account of their vertical position, carry ofi' any lubricant that may be applied. In time, therefore, the guides become worn and inadequate, and hitherto no remedy for this defect has been devised.

- It is also a matter of importance in drawing patterns, that the movement should begin slowly, and when this is left to the judgment of inexperienced workmen the mold may be destroyed. Hitherto no device for autematically controlling the speed of lift to permit of a safely accelerated motion has been applied to a molding machine, nor has nonnative-Erasmus.

' I Specification of ietters Patent. Patented J n 1& 39-19. Application filed September 21, 1901. Ser'iaflfio: 176,646. I

the desideratum of checking the return movement without shock been satisfactgrily achieved.

In machines which ram by power; still further defects in construction and operation remain to be noted. When the actuatin power" is steam or air, the-rammin hea moves quickly and a sharp blow 1s frequently struck against the opposin head or yoke. This does no harm when a ask with compressible sand intervenes, but if through carelessness this natural buffer is wanting,

the machine becomes self-destructive. Limit stops Have been provided, but no solid abutment can withstand the shock and hitherto no satisfactory safeguard has appeare So, also, when the ramming head returns to its original position, the shock of impact in stopping has caused the introduction'of buffer springs to catch the falling weight and soften theblow. These springs are in time ounded down and destroyed and the probem of checking the drop of the head with precision and yet without shock has hitherto remained unsolved. The mostcommon form of yoke or swingin head is carried on a shaft in the foundatlon base of the machine,

and the weight of the head as it swings is preferably counterbalanced by springs at the ends ofcranks. These springs are adjusted to let the head remain back or hold it against sto s in'working position, and the movement 0 the head is generally performed by hand. This is an easy matter on small machines and within certain limits no power is needed, but occasionally machine users have improvised means for swinging the head by power. Here, again, however,

the diificulty has been to move quickly 1nd stop without shock or injury to the machine. Wooden blocks have been used for-the head to strike against at full speed, but hitherto no inechanism has been devised quickly and stop softly in both extreme positions of the swinginghead, nor has the movement'of this head been made to follow automatically, as a natural sequence to that of ramming without special attention on the part of the o erator.

Further di culties have arisen fromthe construction of the swinging head, which has hitherto been carried on bolts having but little lateral strength to resist an eccentric load, and the parallelism of this head with to move v sary to manipulate a starting valve for the.

vibrator and a lever for drawlng by hand, or another valve for drawing by power, and the possibility of performing both operatlons in proper sequence by the movement of one valve lever has not hitherto been realized.

Objects of the present invention are first to obviate the above-mentioned defects and disadvantageous features, and to improve,

simplify and cheapen both the construction 'and operation of the machine; second, to

simplify and improve the construction of the swinging head 'or yoke, whereby it may be constructed to suit machines of various sizes with a minimum of pattern work, and to insure easy adjustabihty' and proper parallelism of that part of it which receives the impact of the sand; third, to provide for shifting the swinging head or yoke into and out of operative position by power and without shocks or jars; fourth, to provide a construction for the base of the machine which shall be strong and capable of being produced in sizes adapted to various types of machines with a minimum of pattern work for castings; fifth, to provide efficient and durable means for supporting the part to which the vibrator is a plied in such a way that it remains, even a ter considerable use, free to vibrate, while at the same time it is capable of taking up whatever stress or strain is brought to bear upon it without being accidentally shifted from its correct and proper position; sixth, to provide eflicient, reliable and self-lubricating means for moving the part which it is necessary to move in order to draw the pattern, whereby proper alinement of this part throughout its movements is maintained and insured; seventh, to provide an adjustable stop for limiting the travel of that part which is moved in order to draw the pattern; eighth, to pro vide interlocking valve gear, whereby the operator is constrained to cause the machine to effect the steps in its complete operation in their proper sequence and relation to each other; and ninth, to provide self-packing means for the various cylinders or plungers. To these and other ends hereinafter set forth, the invention comprises the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and sec e of the invention will be more fully un erstood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof and in which Figure 1 is a front View illustrating, in elevation, a molding machine embodying features of the invention. Fi 2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 3 is a etached view, drawn to an enlarged scale and illustrating, principally in sect-ions through the various cylinders, details of' construction of the ramming head and its accessories. Fig. 3 is a view of a detail of construction and is a section on the line 33", of Fig. 2. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively a. sect1ona1 elevation, an end elevation and a plan of the upper portion of the swinging head or yoke, and Fig. 4, is taken. on the line 44, of Figs. 2' and 6, and Fig. 5, is taken on the line 55, of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a full view drawn to an enlarged scale. and illustrating, means embodying features of the invention for swinging the head or yoke. Fig. 8 is a sectional v1ew on the line A'B of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view, principally in sections illustrating the valve for the vibrator and for the drawing cylinder. Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13, are sections on the line BB, of Fig. 9, and Figs. 10, ll, 12 and 13, are sections on the line A-A, of Fig. 9, and these views illustrate the various positions of the valve shown, in Fig. 9. Fig. 14 is a view illustratin the valve gear for controlling the operation of the machine. It is an enlar ed view partly in section on the line C of Fig. 1. Figs. 15 and 16 are views showing different positions of the valve shown at the upper part of Fig. 14; and they are sections taken on the line CC, of Fig. 1; and Figs. 17, 18 and 19 are .respectively a plan, a side, and an end view of a bed embodying amodification of the invention.

In thedrawings, 1 is the base. 2 is a swinging head pivotally connected with the base and arranged to occupy the position shown in full lines on Fig. 2 to receive the thrust of the same when it is rammed, and to occupy the position indicated in dotted lines on said figure so as to permit of the introduction of sand and of the removal of the flask. 3 is the ramming head, which carries the pattern and flask and which is capable of movement as a whole in respect to the swinging head to ram the sand, and which is also capable of movement in detail between the cylinder head 3, Figs. 1 and 3, on which the pattern 38, is mounted and the flask frame 37, on which the flask is carried so as to draw the pattern or patterns. Speaking generally, these are parts of wellknown molding machines to which, as well as to other types of molding machines, the improvements which constitute the present invention are in whole or in part applicable.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the base of the machine comprises a casting provided with mace bearings for the swinging frame 2, and with brackets I to which various parts of the machine are connected, as shown, and with one of the parts of the piston and plunger, by means of which the ramming head is operated. As shown, the base 1 is provided with the plunger 4, Fig. 3, on which the cylinder is made to slide, but frequently the arrangement is reversed, making the c linder a part of or attached to the base an a plunger movable thereon to ram the sand,

. and in general it will be understood that shown in Fig. 6.

plungers and cylinders are mutually interchangeable for whatever purposes they may be employed on these machines. The swinging head or yoke 2 is shown to consist of two channel irons fitted near their upper ends with teeth 5, and the yoke itself also consists of two channel irons held a art by suitable distance pieces bolted.

At the upper end of the channels 7 the.

supports 8 are attached from which are suspended by the notched rods 9 the stops or detents 10, which are made to engage the teeth 5 in the channels 7. The notches in the rods 9 correspond in pitch with the teeth 5, so that the stops 10 will always be in position to engage the teeth 5 when suspended at any height by the rods 9.

,11 is a binding screw resting at one end in the nut 12 and at the other end in the abutment bearing 13, both nut and bearing 14 is a capstan head secured to the binding screw 11. When the yoke 2 is raised against the stops 10 by the action of the ramming head or pattern drawing cylinders through the intervention of suitable packing, the nut 12 and the abutment bearing 13 can be forced against 'the stops 10 by a hand lever inserted in the capstan 14 with sufficient force to'clamp the yoke on its standards 7 and support its weight by friction when the lifting force is withdrawn. This arrangement for adjusting the head and securing it in position permits the stops to be adjusted in advance for any height of head desired, and thus facilitates the operation of moving the yoke, while at the same time it its simplicity and convenience.

,which the yoke is pivoted to the base, are

6', to which t ey are venien-t 'meai'is foradjusting the yoke in respect to its standards and at the same time insures parallelism of movement of the yoke. Extending from the shaft 1', by means of one or more arms 15, by means of which the yoke is swung from one of its positions to the other. interposed between the arm .15 and a bracket 16, on the frame, is the mechanism for shifting or swinging the yoke, and it is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. This mechanism comprises, as there illustrated, a complete device having its parts connected one with the other. The arm 15 is connected with the coupling 17, and interposed between the coupling 17, and the bracket 16 is a helical spring 18, which is possessed of sufiicient strength to and which tends to swing the frame 2 into upright position, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2. To cause the yoke 2 to swing back into the position in dicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, it is neceswhich has wings 24: that work loose on the tie rods 22. When the lunger 20 is forced, in a manner to be descri ed, out of its cylinder, it is apparent that the coupling 17 is. drawn upward, overcoming the spring 18 and lifting the arm 15 upward so that the yoke 2 is turned backward into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. When the plunger 20 is permitted, as will be described, to reenter its cylinder, the spring 18 will expand, thus turning the arm 15 downward and swinging the frame 2 into the position indicated in Fig. 2 in full lines. The plunger 20 Fig. 8 may be packed on the end, if economy of space is an object, in the manner shown at 45, 46, 4:5 and 44", in Fig. 3, and hereinafter described, but where room is abundant, it is preferably packed as shown by a gasket with spring follower fixed in the cylinder; 25 is a gasket preferably of leather; resting on the follower 26 and 27 is a compression spring; 28 is a gland inserted above the gasket 25 and secured in the cylinder 19. The gasket 25 is beveled so that a corresponding bevel on the follower QG'Will cause it, under the spring pressure, to hug the plunger 20, and since the force of the spring is limited by its stiffness and the compression allowed the friction of the packing may not exceed a certain desired limit which is essential to the successful operation ofthe device for swinging the head as well as for drawing the is admitted and discharged from the cylinder 19 through the orifice 29, pressureis applied or withdrawn by an acting fluid as air, and the same combination of air and oil is also used to efi'ect the operation of the attern drawing cylinders. The sup ly of 05 for operating the plunger 20 ma be conveniently kept in a reservoir 30 an supplied, for example, by means of a pipe 31. It will, of course, be understood that the oil is forced by the air into the cylinder and is exhausted from the cylinder upon the removal of the air pressure, the spring 18, as well as the welght of the parts, serving to create the pressure for the ex-' haust It is desirable in actuating the lunger 20, to have it startand stop slow y 111 respect to its lowest posltion, an a description with reference to Fig. 8 will now be given of means for accomplishing this result. The fluid entering through the orifice 29 1s restricted in its passage to the end'of the plunger by the space into which it flows around the plunger. This is shown as an annular double cone or double bevel 32 turned on the end of the plunger, but, of course, it might be simply a groove on one side, the annular form being adopted to avoid the necessity for locating a groove opposite to the orifice 29. At either end of the stroke, the area of the stream of flow is Very small,

' causing slow movement in the swinging head, while in the middle it is large, permitting'rapid motion, and in either direction the head is caused to start and stop slowly with a quick intermediate movement.

A description will now be given of the means for raising and lowering the ramming head with a slow motion at'the be inning of its upward stroke and atthe end 0 its downward stroke, and in this connection reference will be made more .particularly to Fig. 3. The cylinder 33 is secured to and depends from the ramming head and between the cylinder 33 and the plunger 4, which is attached to the base 1, there is a key or feather 34, and its complemental way 4 for preventing accidental rotation of the ramming head. Through the plunger extends an opening that communicates with a pipe 35, by means of which air is conveyed to the interior of the cylinder 33. The ramming head is provided upon its under face with a projection or plug 36, which extends into but does not tightly fit the opening through the plunger or piston. When air enters the opening 35, it in order to reach the interior of the cylinder must leak around the plug 36. In doing so its admission is comparatively restricted, so that the cylinder and the ramming head start to rise slowly, giving time for the operatorto turn the air cock 55, Fig. 14 wide open before much distance has been travleading to a tank in which ersed, but when the projection 36 has escaped from the opening the mgress ofair is comparatively unrestricted, so that the movement-of the ramming head is rapid.

Upon the return or downward stroke of the ramming-head the opening 35 is serving as an exhaust passage. The projection or plug 36' upon entering it restricts it, and traps some of the air in the cylinder, and this air in escaping must leak around the projection orplug, so that it escapesv slowly. The result of this is that the ramming head comletes its downward stroke slowly, and this 1s desirable because it not only saves the machine from shocks and jars, but also prevents undue shaking of the sand in the mold. To provide against damage which might occur if the same were absent, the upward movement of the ramming head is checked by disconnecting the conveyer 35 from the supply of compressed air and connecting it with an exhaust. The way in which this is Y accomplished will be described hereafter in connection with the Valve gear.

In the machine shown in the drawings the flask support 37 is lifted in respect to the pattern plate 38 and to the ramming head, as a whole in order to draw the patterns. For this purpose cylinders 39 are bolted or otherwise secured to the cylinder head 3*, and "plungers 40 depend from the flask support and Work in the cylinders.

The flask support is also provided with skirts 41 that depend around the cylinders 39 and constitute sand guards. The tank 42, Fig. 2, serves to supply oil by way of the connections 43 for working the plungers or pistons 40. The pistons. 40 are provided with projections 44 which take into and out of the opening 43 in the same way as the projection 36 operates in respect to the opening 35. Thus these projections 44 serve to cause the pistons 40 .to start slowly in their rising motion and to stop slowly in their fallin motion. This is important because if t ey were to rise too quickly the result would be that the pattern was withdrawn-quickly from the sand and that would tend to destroy the mold. These pistons-40 are packed, as shown in Fig. 3, by counter-boring their lower ends and fitting into them thimbles 45 which have flanges to engage a packing 46, and also a spring 45 that is seated upon a collar 44 on the projection 44. This packing is simi lar to the one described in connection with Fig. 7, and is automatic in its action in the sense that its spring 45 pushes upon the thimble 45, and the latter squeezes the packing 46 and causes it to properly hug the internal wall of the cylinder. This form of packing requires a cylinder of less outside diameter than that shown in Fig. 8, and for this reason it is sometimes preferred, but the alternate form of guide cylinder shown ,inder surface can be perfected and where room permits this form is generally used..

In Fig. 3*, the projection 44, is'formed directly on the lunger 40, a ring takes the place of t g/thimble 45, Fig. 3, and a sprin 45, performs the function of 45, Fig. 3 T e gland 40", Fig. 3, is attached to the casing 39, and holds the packing in place.

.In' either case, however, the action is the same and both cylinders are thoroughly lubricated by oil used in operatin In Fig. 3 a small amount of oi? oes by the packing at every stroke of the %unger, and in Fig. 3 the plunger is "simply 1mmersed for a greater depth below its packing. The lubrication in both cases is perfect and this constitutes an important feature of my invention, because it prevents wear and insures a continuance of perfect alinement in the pattern draft. The cylinders 39, and the plungers 40, are each rigidly connected respectively with the part 3*, and the flask support 37; Thus they serve not only to lift but also to guide. It isdesirable to provide means for checking the upward range of travel of flask frame 37, and such meansshould have provisions whereby a range of adjustment is afforded. To this end a stop-rod 47 is provided. This stop-rod works in an opening in the ram? ining head and is connected with the flask frame 37 in a manner to be next described. As shown, this result is accomplished by securing it to a stool-plate 48 which latter is in turn connected by means of brackets or hangers W with the flask frame. At its lower end the rod 47 carries a spring 47 which serves as a buffer in checking the rise of the flask support. The lower end of the rod 47, in order to provide an adjustment, is turned down so as to provide several seats. Into one of these seats is fitted an axially split ring 49, Fig. 3, over which is fitted or dropped a continuous ring against which the spring 47 is seated. By

lifting the continuous ring 50 it is possible to pull the halves of the ring 49 a art and fit it into another seat on the rod a whereupon the continuous ring 50 is dropped over the halves andserves to retain thbm to place. The object of using a notchedrod with adjustable collars instead of nuts to screw up and down is to insure the parallelism of two similar stops which are, generally required. Where one only is possible an ordinary nut could be used, and even with two rods nuts can be used if care is. taken to adjust them on both rods alike.

The stool plate 48 is merely mentioned as a convenient means for connecting the rods 47 with the'fiask frame. Its purpose is well understood and is to support stools which extend up through the pattern plate vibrator 52, is connected wit and support the sand in diflicult portions of the mold.

There is illustrated in Fig. 1 a vibrator 52 connected with the pattern late 38. The the ttern plate 38, by means of a late 51, ig. 2, attached to the frame 38, ig. 3, on which. the pattern dplate is secured. The frame 38, is supports by the flexible columns 53, and serves as a fixture to which diiferent pattern plates may be attached. The vibrator as well as its function is well understood and needs no further description than to say that the vibrator is operated by air and serves to shake the pattern late and patterns as the latter are being d sand. To permit of the; proper vibration thepattern plate is connected with the rammin head by means of flexible columns or slen er struts 53 as of steel. These columns 53 have rigid connection with the ramming head and with the pattern late, and it is their own elasticity or flexibility which permits the pattern plate to vibrate. This is a very important construction because since it is merely the spring of the columns which allows the vibration, it follows that there is no wear, and that the proper positioning of the pattern plate is insured. The abutments 54 on the ramming head are a trifle shorter than the columns 53, and when pressure is brought to bear upon the pattern plate, as in ramming, it will sprinn or yield and the abutments 54 take part or the stress or strain. Before describing the valve gear by which the various cylinders or pistons or plungers are controlled, it may be well to state that there are only two valves, of which one when operated serves to swing the ramming yoke 2 into upright position, and upon and not before'the completion of this operation to lift the ramming head and let it descend. The other serves to set the vibrator in motion, and to then and not until then lift the flask and draw the pattern which. is the complete cycle of operations.

The plug valve '55, Figs. 14, 15, 16, controls the swinging yoke and ramming head, and it is fitted with a handle 56, Fig. 2, and with two ports or passages 57 and 58-. The casing for this valve is provided with an air inlet 59 for compressed air, and with an outlet 60 to the oil tank 30, andwith an outlet 61 to the exhaust, and with an outlet 62 to the pipe 35 of the ramming head. The position of the valve shown in Fig. l t is what may be termed the first position, and is the position which it occupies when the swingso rawn from the lli? ing head is back, as shown in Fig. 2 in dotted lines, and the ramming head is down.

It will be noted that in Fig. 14 the pipe 35 of the ramming cylinder communicates by way of the port 58, with the exhaust 61, so that the ramming head is necessarily down. It will also be noted that the supply of com terrupted at the position of the plug valve 55, shown in Fig. 15, by the segment 63, which it carries coming into contact with the circular portion 64, of an arm 65, attached to the swing frame. In-that position the part 57 establishes communication between the parts 60 and 61, and thus relieves the air pressure in the tank 30. The result of this is that the spring 18, Fig. 7, pulls the swinging head into upright position. It may be remarked that sand can be introduced into the mold prior to bringing the swinging head into vertical position in the manner described. As the swinging head reaches its vertical position, it of course moves the arm 65, and when it reaches the. vertical position a recessed portion 66, of it, comes opposite the segment 63, so that the handle 56 can be further turned in a counter-clockwise direction. The result of turning the handle 56 is to bring the plug 55 into the position shown in Fig. 16. In the position shown in that figure, communication is established between the air supply 59 and the pipe 35, which communicates with a cylinder 33. The result of this is that the ramming head ascends in the manner described and effects the necessary ramming of the sand. By way of precaution and to prevent any accident that might occur if the sand were not present and the ramming head were permitted to collide with the yoke 2, the ramming head is provided with a trip 67, which collides with a suitable lip 56 or like provision on the shank of the handle 56, and in that way turns the plug into position for connecting the pipe 35 with the exhaust 61, so that the ramming head descends. Ordinarily the ramming head may be lowered by manual manipula; tion of the handle 56.

A description will now be given of the valve and its accessories which control the vibrator and the drawing cylinders 39, which operate to lift and lower the flask support, and in this connect-ion attention is called more particularly to Figs. 9 to .14, inclusive. The plug 68 is provided with a movable handle 69, which may be turned part way through its range of motion and is thereu on arrested by a stop 70. This motion 0 the handle serves to set the vibrator 52 in motion, and it insures the operation of the vibrator before the pattern can be drawn, because as the handle 69 'is turned, as described, the operator can plainly hear the vibrator, and if he does not he can take the proper steps to set it in motion, as

for example, he may tap it lightly. The handle 69 may then be turned up so as to clear its stop 70, and then swung to-the other side of sult of this movement is to cause the pattern to be drawn in the manner described.

Figs. 10 to 13 show in each case the positions of the two sets of passages which are arranged in different planes int-he plu 68, and also show the relative positions 0 the ports or passages in the casing. In Fig. 10 the parts are shownto be in the position which they occupy prior to the operation of drawing the pattern 'under the influence of the vibrator, and in that figure the supply 71 of compressed air is cut off from the passage 72 that. leads to the vibrator, because of the position of the opening 73 and the supply of air 71 is also cut off from the passage 74 that leads to the tank 42 which supplies oil to the drawing cylinders 39, because of the position of the passages 7 5, 76 and 77. The tank 42 is in communication, by way of 74, 75 and 77, with the exhaust 78, so that there is no air pressure in the tank or reservoir 42, consequently the flask support is necessarily in its lowest position because its weight forces the oil out of the cylinders 39 into the reservoir 42. As the handle-69 is turned into collision with its stop 70, the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 11. In that position the port 73 has connected the" air supply 71 with the vibrator by way of 72, and the ports 75, 76 and 77 still prevent access of air to the drawing cylinder tank 42; consequently the vibrator is running. As. the handle is lifted past the stop 70, the valve is turned into the position shown in Fig. 12. In this position the port 73 still admits air tothe vibrator, and air is also admitted by way of 76-77 to the tank or reservoir 42, so that while the vibrator is still running the flask frame is lifted in the manner described. The continued turning of the handle 69 brings the parts into the positionshown in Fig. 13, which corresponds with the end of the rise of the flask support. In that figure air is excluded from the vibrator by the position of the port 73, so that the latter stops, having completed its work, and air is still admitted by way of 76-77 to the tank 42 for finishing the rising motion of the flask support. Subsequently the valve is brought back to its original position, shown in Fig. 10, in which the vibrator is at rest and the tank is in communication with the exhaust 7 8, so that the pattern support returns to its lowest postion. 'a, is a side passage, which is useful as'a connection for a hose, to which a blowervalve b is atserves. as a bufier. However, if sand is abtached, as is'customary on such machines,

The valve b, is 'a blowvalve for cleaning. patterns and blowingv oif sand-whenever necessary.

. In Figs. 17, 18and 19 there isillustrateda modified form ofbed plate for the ma chine. This bed plate consists of castings 79,- 80 and 81, which may be of uniform various lengths of size for machines, and it: also consists of channel irons 82 and 83,-

which are bolted or otherwise secured to these castings, so that the channel. lI'OIlS can be cut-of lengths appro riate to difierent sizes of machines. The

over eflicient; 7

Briefly the mode of operation of the described'machine. may be stated as follows: Starting from a -positionzof rest, the opera ed plate is moreatorl tupns the handle 56 from nearly up-' i right position into the position shown in Fig. 2, so that its sector 63 collides with the circular partof the arm 64, The result of this is that the swin ng head 2 assumes 66 and'the handle 56 further turned. The result'of this is that the ramming head asa whole rises in the manner described,- and if it carries sand the latter is rammed and sent,,the art 67' turns the handle '56 back again an thus checks the ramming head.

est position. The-handle 69 is then turned into collision with the stop -70 so: that the vibrator is set in motion, and. after it is in motion the handle 69 is lifted over its stop and still further shifted so as to draw the pattern in' the manner described and stop the vibrator, and after-that operation it is returned to its initial" position, As .de scribed, the proper adjustment of 'the yoke proper is effected by means of the stopsi10 in the teeth 5 and theclamp screw 11. j The part 47 serves to prevent the flask support from rising. too far, and the distance to which it may rise is adjusted by the. parts 49 and 50, as has been described. The oil driven plungers are. self-lubricating, and they insure properalinement and operation of the various parts. The columns 53, since they spring or yield, are very durable, and are not displaced or thrown out of alinement in use. 7 g

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates that modifications may be made in details. without departing from the spirit-thereof, hence I do not limit myself to the precise construcj tion and arrangement of'parts hereinabove flexible columns consistin comparatively inexpensive and very described.

; brator for the pattern late,and flexible col- @umns consisting of s ender struts rigidly i'ders attache [to the ramming head, pistons 1 attached to the flask support, skirts depend-q jecting beyond the face'thereof. a 7 In a molding'machine the combination circumferential ring adapted to set forth and illustrated in the accompanytween and rigidly; connected with said part I and support- .whereby the former is supported and positioned, substantially as described. 1 g A i 12. The combination in-a molding machine v of a ramming head, a part to be vibrated,

I of slender struts rigidly connected with .t e ramming head and-with said. part to support "and-position thelatter, and abutments on the ramming head for receiving thrust, substantially as '3. The, combination in a molding machine f of a pattern plate, a ramming head, a vi- 7 connected with-the 'patternplat'e. and ram h g head,'snbstantia1l"y as described;

4-. Infajmold'ing'machine the combination ofa-rammin' head and'flask'support,'cylining' from the flasksu'pportaround the 0 en 1 ends of thecylinders:andaconstituting ustguards'and 'means for introducing, oil to the cylinders, said cylindersand istons serving to both guide and lift the Hat sup-' port, substantially as described;

5; In a molding machine the combination of a'flask support and a pattern late movable the'one in respect to the ot er, means for 3 moving the flask support, a rod connected with said support, a spring connected with the rod. and adapted to abut upon the head, and'means for shifting said spring to adjust the travel of the support,z 'substan- 110 tially as described. I

6. A vibrator frame for molding a paratus' having a plurality of yielding an resilient supports mounted thereon and pro.-

of a flask support and a pattern plate mov-' able the one in respect to the otherymeans for' moving the flask support in respect to the plate, a rod connected with the flask sup ferential grooves, a spring on :said'=" rod t actas a buffer, a split ring adapted "to said.

grooves, and a {continuons old the parts of'thei split; 3 ring, substantially as described. f j H 8. In a molding machine the'combin'ation of' a swinging head, a spring. tending/to i swingthe same in one direction, a piston and a. cylinder for swinging the head the its port and provided with a series 'ofcircum: 7

1 other direction, a fluid tank, connections be- "aswin posed between the cylinder an substantially as described.

tween the tank andcylinder, and' means for creating and relievin pressure in thetank, substantially as described. x

a base, a swinging head provided with an arm, a cylinder carried by the base, a coupling connected with the arm, a s ring intercoupling, and-a plunger? connected with the coupling,

10. In combination in a molding machine, 'head, a iston and a c linder 'for actuating it, an et for the cylinder, and said piston having a double tapered groove and a fluid passage therefrom, whereby it is caused to start and stop slowly, substantially as described.

11. In combination in a molding machine, a ramming head, a piston and a cylinder'for moving the same,'an admission valve, and a projection on the ramming head ada ted to operate the-"admission valve to sto t e rise 0 the ramming head, substantia y as described. v .a

the combina-' 12. In a mol machine tion of a-rammin ead and its complemental piston and cy der, an admission valve provided with a handle, and a pro'ection on the ramming head adapted to co ide with the. handle and 0 rate the valve to prevent excess travel of e ramming head, substantially as described.

'13. The combination in a molding machine of aswinging head and a ramming head and .their complemental actuating mechanism, 'a valvefor controlling the' movements of the ramming head and'the swinging head, and anarm on the ramming head for preventing the valve from being shifted to actuate the ramming head unt after the swin g head is in proper position, substantia y as described. I 14. In a molding machine the combination of a head and its oil reservoir and its piston an cylinder and their access'ories, a rammin head and its piston and cylinder and their accessories, a valve having a connection forcompressed air-and a connection to the oil reservoir and a connection to the ramming cylinder and'a ,connection to the exhaust, and a lug adapted to said valve and provided with two orts or passages, whereb the swinging ead is made to 0 rate efore the ramming head, substanti yasdescribed.

'15. The combination in a molding ma chine of a vibrator, a. drawing cylinder and its complemental oil tank and connections, a valve having compressed air inlets-arranged .in two planes, and a connection to the vibrator in one of said planes and a connection tothe reservoir and a connection to exhaust arrangedin the other of said planes, and a 9. In combination in a molding machine,

. means which actuate sai plug for said valve having passages ar ranged to said planes, and means for tem gorarily locking said valve, substantially as escribed. K 16. In combination in a molding machine, a vibrator, a" drawing cylinder, a valve forstarting these parts in the "order named, and or" permitting said valve tobe opened and obstructed to first start the vibrator and for permitting it to be" further opened to- .start the drawing cylinder whereby ro r o eration of the vibrator is insured is ore t e pattern is drawn, substantially as describeda 17. In a moldin machine the combination of a vibrator,-a rawing cylinder, a valve for starting these arts in theorder named, an operating hand e movably connected with the valve, and a stop for permitting the handle to'be turned and arrested to start the vibrator and saidstop arranged so that thereafter the handle may be moved to clear it and further turned to start the drawing cylinder, substantially as described.

18. A molding machineconsistin of the combination of a swinging head an means for shifting it, devices for automatically;'

controlling said means to stop and sta the swinging head slowly, a ramming head,

means for actuating it, automatic devlces for slowly stoppin and starting the means which actuate t e ramming head, a part to be moved to draw the pattern, means for moving said part, and devices for automatically slowly stoppin and starting the means parts, substantially as described.

19. A molding machine comprising th combination of a swinging head and devices for actuating it, a ramming head and devices for, actuating it, a single valve Qfor controlling the devices which actuate"'both 20. A molding machine comprising the combination of a spring-controlled-swingin'g head, an oilreservoir and its age cries for actuating the swinging head, al ramming head, a piston and cylinder'for actuatin it, a pneumatic vibrator, a part to bemove to.

.draw the pattern, ,an o1l reservoir and its accessories fonactuatmg'szud part, pneumatic connections'to the vibrator and to the ramming cylinder and to each of said reser-.

ramming'cylinders, of independent air con-- nections to said cylinders.

22. In a machineof the character described, the combination with a ramming cylinder, liftin cylinders carried by the rammin cylin er and air connections to said cyl nders, of means for controlling independently the passage of air to the ramming cylinder and to the lifting cylinders.

23. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a ramming cylinder, lifting cylinders carried by the ramming cylinder and vibrating mechanism, of an air connection to the-ramming cylinder, air connections to the vibrating mechanism and the lifting cylinders and vibrator and lifting valves in said connections.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a ramming cylinder, lifting cylinders on opposite sides thereof andvibratmg mechanism, of air con-.

nections to the cylinders and the vibrating mechanism, a valve for controllin the passage of air to the ramming cylin er, valves for controlling the passage of air to the vibrating mechanism and the lifting cylinders,

and means for successively actuating the vibrator and the lifting valves.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

WILFRED LEWIS.

Witnesses: I

W. J. JACKSON, FRANK T. KALAS. 

